Baltimore Ravens safety and Destrehan product Ed Reed is expected to wind up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame once he ends his standout career, which includes this week's appearance in Super Bowl 2013. There, he will join at least two other New Orleans-area football greats - a list that figures to keep growing over the next decade.

After consulting with a variety of New Orleans football historians and longtime media members, here's the unofficial list of the 10 greatest NFL players to come from the New Orleans area (in alphabetical order):

RB MARSHALL FAULK

High school: Carver. College: San Diego State.

Pro Football Hall of Famer played with Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams from 1994-2005. Ranks seventh in NFL history with 136 touchdowns, sixth with 19,172 all-purpose yards and 10th with 12,279 rushing yards. Selected to seven Pro Bowls. Played in two Super Bowls with Rams, including victory in Super Bowl XXXIV over Tennessee Titans.

DE RICH "TOMBSTONE" JACKSON

High school: L.B. Landry. College: Southern.

Two-time Pro Bowler and two-time AFL All-Star spent most of his career with the Denver Broncos, and also played for the Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns from 1966-1972. Might have made the Hall of Fame if his career had lasted longer. Sports Illustrated's "Dr. Z" Paul Zimmerman had Jackson as one of the three defensive ends on his all-century team in 1999. Had 43 career sacks and has been credited with inventing the "head slap" move that fellow end Deacon Jones also made famous.

QB ELI MANNING

High school: Newman. College: Ole Miss.

Nine-year career with New York Giants highlighted by two Super Bowl victories over the New England Patriots and two Super Bowl MVP honors. Has thrown for 31,527 yards and 211 touchdowns since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2004. Selected to three Pro Bowls.

QB PEYTON MANNING

High school: Newman. College: Tennessee.

A sure-fire Hall of Famer when his career ends. First overall draft pick in 1998 spent 14 seasons with Indianapolis Colts before joining Denver Broncos in 2012. Ranks second in NFL history with 154 wins by a quarterback and 436 TD passes. Ranks third all-time with 59,847 passing yards. Only four-time MVP in NFL history. Won Super Bowl XLI over Chicago Bears and earned MVP honors. Lost to New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV. A 12-time Pro Bowl selection, which ranks first among quarterbacks.

Played 14 seasons with Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins from 1959-1972. Helped lead Bears to NFL title in 1963 and played in Super Bowl VII with Redskins' "Over the Hill Gang" in loss to undefeated Miami Dolphins. Had 48 career interceptions. Four-time Pro Bowl selection. Became a renowned defensive coordinator, winning three Super Bowls with Redskins, and spent one year as Redskins head coach in 1993.

S ED REED

High school: Destrehan. College: Miami.

Nine-time Pro Bowler, five-time first-team All-Pro selection. NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. Ranks 10th in NFL history with 61 interceptions and first in NFL history with 1,541 return yards. Has 14 TDs in his career and is only player in NFL history to score off of a punt return, blocked punt, interception and fumble recovery.

DE NEIL SMITH

High school: McDonogh 35. College: Nebraska.

Six-time Pro Bowler spent 13 years with Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers from 1988-2000. Had 104½ sacks. Formed dynamic duo with Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas in Kansas City before joining Broncos and winning two Super Bowls (over Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons) later in career.

RB STEVE VAN BUREN

High school: Warren Easton. College: LSU.

Pro Football Hall of Famer spent eight years with Philadelphia Eagles from 1944-1951. Named All-NFL in first six seasons. Led Eagles to NFL titles in 1948 and 1949. Scored Eagles' only TD in 7-0 title-game victory over Chicago Cardinals in blizzard conditions in 1948. Ran for then-NFL record 196 yards in 14-0 victory over Los Angeles Rams in 1949 title game. Finished career with 5,860 rushing yards. First overall pick in 1944. Born in Honduras before moving to New Orleans to live with grandparents.

WR REGGIE WAYNE

High school: John Ehret. College: Miami.

Twelve-year veteran has spent entire career with Indianapolis Colts. Six-time Pro Bowl selection ranks 10th in NFL history with 968 receptions for 13,063 yards and 78 touchdowns. Ranks second all-time with 92 postseason receptions. Won Super Bowl XLI over Chicago Bears and played in Super Bowl XLIV against New Orleans Saints.

DB AENEAS WILLIAMS

High school: Fortier. College: Southern.

One of 15 modern-era finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. Spent 14 seasons with Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams from 1991-2004, mostly as cornerback before switching to safety. Eight-time Pro Bowl selection. Had 55 career interceptions, tied for 19th in NFL history. Ranks second all-time with 12 defensive touchdowns. Played in Super Bowl XXXVI with Rams against New England Patriots.